Big Ben Bulls' bully now

Chicago nabs Pistons center with better deal

Chicago nabs Pistons center with better deal

July 05, 2006|MARLEN GARCIA Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO -- For years, Ben Wallace has made life tough on the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference. He's about to make it better. Wallace agreed Monday night to a four-year deal worth $60 million with the Bulls, sources said. The deal will become official July 12, the first day free agents can sign contracts. Bulls general manager John Paxson declined comment. The league prohibits teams from commenting on negotiations. By adding Wallace, the Bulls go from being a middling team last season to becoming contenders for the Eastern Conference championship in 2006-07. Wallace will join a strong returning nucleus of Bulls -- Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni. But one starter not likely to be back is Tyson Chandler. Reports of a potential trade for the 7-foot-1-inch center were rampant Monday night. Potential destinations include New Orleans/Oklahoma City in return for 6-11 P.J. Brown or the Atlanta Hawks in a sign-and-trade for Al Harrington, according to ESPN.com. Reached by phone in California, Chandler said he has heard rumors that he could be traded. "I've been hearing a lot of stuff," he said. "It really doesn't bother me. I'm a Chicago Bull. As of right now, my focus is on getting better and working out this summer. "My thing is, regardless of what happens, I'm going to be an All-Star next year. I realize I had a tough year last year. I'm not going to allow that to happen again in my career. "If I get traded, I'll be somewhere else with the same plan." Barring a trade, Chandler said he expects to return to the Chicago area Aug. 1. In the meantime, he said he is working out near his Los Angeles home. Chandler signed a six-year deal worth more than $60 million last summer. Last season he averaged only 5.3 points per game and shot 50 percent from the free-throw line -- both career lows. He was acquired by then-Bulls general manager Jerry Krause in 2001 via a trade that since has haunted the Bulls. The Los Angeles Clippers drafted Chandler straight out of Dominguez High School with the No. 2 overall pick, and they sent him to the Bulls in exchange for Elton Brand. Brand since has become an All-Star. The knock on the Bulls the last few years was their inexperience. Hinrich has the most NBA know-how among the aforementioned players, and he has been in the league for just three years. Going into his 11th season, Wallace will provide experience and leadership. He helped the Pistons advance to the NBA Finals twice, and they won the NBA championship just two years ago. With Wallace, the Bulls finally will have a big man who can contend consistently with Miami Heat star Shaquille O'Neal, who at times has drilled the Bulls at will. Wallace is somewhat slight for a center at only 6-9, but he gets the most out of his 240-pound body. Last season Wallace averaged 7.3 points to go with averages of 11.3 rebounds, 1.78 steals and 2.21 blocks per game. He was voted the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time. His averages for rebounds, steals and blocks ranked in the league's top 10. There is speculation that Wallace wants a bigger role on offense, and he probably will have the opportunity to prove himself under coach Scott Skiles. Wallace's best scoring average of 9.7 points per game came in 2004-05. He has a career average of 6.6. His free-throw shooting leaves something to be desired. Wallace is shooting slightly less than 42 percent from the line for his career. He will be 32 on Sept. 10, which leads to questions about how long he can be a force. His rebounding average has declined since he averaged 15.4 rebounds per game in 2002-03, yet his numbers remain outstanding. Wallace had quite a following in Detroit. Even his hair, sometimes braided and sometimes undone as a retro-1970s Afro, was a hit.